Twist the Drill

All who teach are influenced by the way they learned. As described in About, I learned the MookJong (Wooden Man) first, then the rest “all in one go”. This means that my intrinsic impression of all the forms and practices was integrated rather than separate. So as I developed my approach during my early years of teaching, it elaborated on this pattern. My experience disagrees with “learn SiuNimTao first, then graduate to ChumKiu”, etc.

Since I see the program as a single holistic picture, I compare learning to painting a picture. First a rough pencil sketch to lay out its boundaries and block out major compositional elements* or regions of the canvas. Then gradually construct inwards within each of those regions, keeping their developments balanced and inter-related.

So my students are briefly introduced to how SiuNimTao works, then how ChumKiu works, then how BiuJee works, in parallel with the MookJong (both wood & partner versions). Then the drill turns and we go back through again at a greater depth, and again… This builds connectedness into each idea: how SNT sets up for CK, how BJ explains parts of SNT, and vice versa.

A similar image, used in meditation, is one of descending a circular stairway to go deeper. Twisting the drill conveys the idea that learning is life-long, and remains rewarding long after the Plum Blossom of physical combat has fallen with the Autumn Leaves.